I ski MRG at least once a year and have been doing so for
over 10 years. MRG is not a flashy resort with tons of amenities. It does not
allow snowboarding. The single-chair lift can have a long line. Trail grooming
is minimal. Snowmaking is done by The Almighty. The trails are narrow, steep,
and sometimes littered with moguls. These qualities would be a turn-off to most
would-be skiers, to MRG devotees, these are the exact reasons this mountain is
beloved. In order to appreciate this resort a skier must eschew modernity and
embrace skiing as it was before steel framed lodges with drywall interiors,
high-speed six-pack lifts, and groomed trails wider than a freeway.
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| My buddy, Tony riding the Single Chair |
Whether you ride the Single or the fixed-grip double to one
of the two top stations, your choices about how to get down are numerous and
the difficulty level ranges from a couple of green trails that traverse the
resort, to a myriad of straight shots that will have you dodging trees and
sketchy sections the whole way. I like to start by warming up on Upper Antelope
before cutting over to The Upper Glade, Ferret, or Moody's, and then ski out
the Lower Glade. After that, the rest of my day usually is consumed by seeking
out trees, chutes, and bumps with occasional journeys into the green terrain when
I need a break.
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| Lower Glades |
MRG is not all bumps and trees. In fact, the entire skier's
left side of the the lower resort is consumed with oodles of twisting greens
and blues reminiscent of a Snakes and Ladders board game. Not only are these
fun runs that can be used to access some great off-piste terrain, but these
trails are perfect for the kids and beginner skiers. A mid-mountain double
serves this area on busier days. Another double serves the somewhat separated
learning area. I often wonder what it's like to be a kid here and grow up
skiing this mountain. I hope the kids appreciate it.
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| My friend John, gingerly entering a chute |
With no big amenities, there isn't always a lot to do for
apres-ski. Good local acts do play in General Stark's Pub. They also serve some
excellent dishes and have a nice selection of local brew. Snowshoe trails also
exist for those who want something other than skiing.
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| Lynx trail |
MRG's snowboard ban is perhaps it's most controversial
issue. Knowing the history of the resort and the reasoning for it I support the
ban to a certain extent, but I know a lot of snowboarders who would love to
ride the trails here and are good enough and respectful enough to do so without
it being an issue. Instead of snowboarders, MRG attracts a higher-than-usual
amount of skiers that use telemark equipment. This anachronistic manner of
skiing is just as throwback as the mountain itself, and thus embraced by the
resort. It's just another thing that gives MRG a certain flair not found at any
other resort, and yet another reason I keep coming back.
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| The iconic MRG bumper sticker |
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